In the previous post, “Running over the same old ground?”, I outlined three types of reaction to the lack of evidence (so far, at the LHC) for physics beyond the Standard Model. A conversation afterward with Prof Michael Duff reminded me there is a fourth type, which he exemplifies.
Last week I was in CERN for various meetings. Rather unexpectedly, these included one with Roger Waters in which I totally failed to say “Welcome to the Machine” at the right moment.
There’s physics in them thar hills…
The main business was CERN’s Scientific Policy Committee, followed by Council, and the first meeting of the “European Strategy Group” for particle physics which I mentioned here. As I describe in that article, much attention focusses on whether there is a case for a new big collider, and if so which one?
The LHC has transformed our view of particle physics, partly by discovering the Higgs boson and measuring its properties – especially its mass – and partly by what it has not observed. There were predictions that other new particles would show up at the same time as the Higgs, especially those predicted in an extension of the Standard Model of particle physics called “supersymmetry”. These expectations were not met, and that has led to a few different reactions amongst theorists.
I have been too distracted to write much lately. This is partly due to the demoralising backdrop of UK politics, and partly because I have been having fun with physics and related matters. This is a quick catch up on a few of the good things from that side. I will avoid the politics, not because it isn’t important but because I am sick of it and we all need a break sometimes.
Read more at the Cosmic Shambles Network
Life and Physics 